On September 6, the House approved, by unanimous consent, the Survivors Bill of Rights Act (H.R. 5578), sponsored by Rep. Mimi Walters (R-CA). The measure establishes several rights for sexual assault survivors, including the right to free forensic examinations and preservation of evidence collection kits. The bill also grants sexual assault survivors the right to be notified of any result of a sexual assault evidence kit and date of intended disposal of such evidence.

Representative Mimi Walters, Republican, California

Among other provisions, the bill would authorize grants to inform survivors of their rights and require the Justice Department to create a working group to develop and share best practices for assisting sexual assault survivors and handling of evidence collection kits.

The House Judiciary Committee approved and earlier version of the bill on July 7 (see The Source, 7/8/16).

Child Protection

H. Con. Res. 150 – Rep. Ted Poe (R-TX)/Judiciary (9/9/16) – A concurrent resolution expressing the sense of Congress that child safety is the first priority of custody and visitation adjudications, and that state courts should improve adjudications of custody where family violence is alleged.

S. 3299 – Sen. Kelly Ayotte (R-NH)/Commerce, Science and Transportation (9/8/16) – A bill to direct the secretary of Homeland Security to notify air carriers and security screening personnel of the Transportation Security Administration regarding permitting baby formula, breast milk, and juice on aircraft, and for other purposes.

Health

H.R. 5925 – Rep. Grace Meng (D-NY)/Energy and Commerce (7/21/16) – A bill to require the label on certain menstrual products to include an ingredient list, and for other purposes.

S. 3290 – Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL)/Armed Services (9/7/16) – A bill to mitigate the risks of the Zika virus to members of the Armed Forces and Department of Defense civilian personnel stationed in or deployed to areas affected by or that may soon be affected by the Zika virus, to authorize the secretary of Defense to transfer funds to counter or control the Zika virus, and for other purposes.